A majority of Protestants have abandoned the monergistic view of salvation and adopted the synergistic (free will) view. Wesley, while not accepting everything the Arminius had to offer, accepted the "free will" view. yes, you have said that a number of times. but I hadn't realized that this also covered salvation issues. I thought it was only indirect - man cooperates with God, but it is God alone who gives man the ability and who saves man. Catholics do believe in predestination. What about Arminians? Arminians believe that they are not automatically saved? Sorry for the ignorance. It seems Protestants classify themselves into many different groups and theological mindsets and it can be difficult to understand them all.
Today most Protestants have no problem agreeing to the Catholic view of man, even though it was never what Protestants were originally about.
I don't know where we stand in regards to Arminians. I get the idea that we are in between you and them on the issue of free will. I don't know about how this effects your guy's ideas on salvation. All I do here is expound on Catholic ideas. When someone expresses their ideas that differ from Catholicism, we discuss it. So I am not in the know on all the various groups theories.
It doesn't surprise me that jokus wouldn't have much difficulties in becoming a Methodist
{Chuckle}. Now, Harley, I didn't say that I'd have difficulties in becoming a Methodist! Only that IF IF I already WAS a Protestant, my current paradigms, experiences, and "self" interpretations of Scripture lead me in that direction - IF I was not Catholic! I couldn't image leaving the Eucharist. We don't want to start any vicious rumours now, especially before Lent! :)
To be fair to your theological bend, I also ask you for some SHORT link that compares our ideas of salvation to yours and Arminians' (I already asked Stripes, who I presume is an Arminian).
Regards
yes, you have said that a number of times. but I hadn't realized that this also covered salvation issues. Arminians hold to the 5-points of the Remonstrant. These 5-points states:
1) Free-will or human ability. Although human nature was seriously affected by the fall, man has not been left in a state of total spiritual helplessness.
2) Conditional election. God’s choice of certain individuals unto salvation before the foundation of the world was based upon His foreseeing that they would respond to His call.
3) Universal redemption or general atonement. Christ’s redeeming work made it possible for everyone to be saved but did not actually secure the salvation of anyone.
4) The Holy Spirit can be effectually resisted. The Spirit calls inwardly all those who are called outwardly by the gospel invitation.
5) Falling from grace. Those who believe and are truly saved can lose their salvation by failing to keep up their faith, etc.
As you can see by these 5-points, they are clearly Catholic doctrine. I doubt if you would disagree with any of these points.
The Protestant TULIP, which was developed in response to the Arminian Remonstrant, believes:
1) Total inability or total depravity. Because of the fall, man is unable of himself to savingly believe the Gospel. The sinner is dead, blind and deaf to the things of God; his heart is deceitful and desperately corrupt.
2) Unconditional election. God’s choice of certain individuals unto salvation before the foundation of the world rested solely in His own sovereign will.
3) Particular redemption or limited atonement. Christ’s redeeming work was intended to save the elect only, and actually secured salvation for them.
4) The efficacious call of the Spirit or Irresistible Grace. In addition to the outward general call to salvation (which is made to everyone who hears the Gospel), the Holy Spirit extends to the elect a special inward call that inevitably brings them to salvation.
5) Perseverance of the saints. All who are chosen by God, redeemed by Christ, and given faith by the Spirit are eternally saved.
Many Protestants today have mixed these two theology causing all sorts of weird doctrinal combinations. Some Protestants believe you can lose your salvation as the Remonstrant points out (and you believe). Other Protestants have merged the two and come up with the OSAS while accepting general atonement.
It's a muddled mess.
Link: What is Arminianism?